I would like to take this opportunity to offer
a very warm welcome to our next special guest; Banachek.

Banachek has been described as the "Cream
of the Crop" when it comes to entertainers, quite simply
he is the world's leading Mentalist. His talents are so incredible
that he is the only mentalist ever to fool scientists into
believing he possessed 'Psychic powers' but to later reveal
he was fooling them.

Many of you may already know a great deal of
this master of mentalism from his many publications, effects
or performances. If you want to explore a little more of
this incredible performer before his visit officially begins
then please take a look at his website:

I am very pleased indeed to welcome Banachek
to these boards and I wait with eager anticipation to read
the questions and replies that shall be offered through this
forum.

A special "Thank You" to Banachek
for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to be
able to spend some time offering your wisdom and advice to
our members.

This forum is now open for questions, in preparation
for Banachek's visit today, on the 22nd November.

LeeAlex

What a great privilege it is to have you here
at the Warren! A very big warm welcome.
Your website makes fascinating reading (and
viewing).
I particularly liked the section on the revelation
of the fraudsters, and was captured by the story of Popoff
the Evangelist.
How much involvement did you actually have
in the "capturing" of this unbelievable "prankster"?

Gary Scott

Hi Banachek,
Fantastic news that you are finally here! I
can't wait to hear your professional input as guest speaker.
Thanks for taking time out to visit us here
at the hutch!

Darmoe

Steve! Great having you here!
(And thanks again for the materials you sent!)

Huw Collingbourne

Yes to what all the others have said. Great
to have you at Bunny. I hope you enjoy your visit!

Michael Jay

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you
onto these boards. Thank you for taking your time with us
over the next week!

davetolomy

Welcome, thanks for coming. I watched your
metal bending on your website and I have to say it looks
fantastic.

Thanks again and look forward to discussion.

aommaster

What a great honour to have you here! Thanks for visiting and answering our questions!

Thank you so much for all your kind comments.
Hopefully I will have the time to respond to all. I will
try to add a few stories as well, things that might have
been alluded to or asked about on other boards when I have
guest hosted.

Again, thank you all so much. Feel free to ask the hard questions as well.
Please keep in mind that my views are just that, my views
and not for everyone. I fully understand that and as a result
I hope no one takes what I say personally.

Scott Drebus

Thank you so much for taking some time off
to visit with us here at MB. It looks like you found the
boards and registered okay. If you have any questions during
your stay here, feel free to ask Nigel (Admin), myself, Michael
Jay (the hardest working moderator in the world), or any
other moderator here and we'll do whatever we can to make
your time with us easy and enjoyable. Already you have been
asked and answered more questions on your first day than
others have gotten in a whole week. Hopefully we don't overload
you.

Huw Collingbourne

Don't tell him that! He might slow down.

Seriously though, we're just one day in and
this has already become one of the best (most enjoyable and
thought provoking) guest spots we've ever had.

adsalamon

I've just starting reading into suggestion
and I wondered how do I go and start doing it. It's all well
and good reading it but how can I practise for the 1st time
without letting them know what I'm trying to do. Do I just
go up to someone and do it and fail looking silly.

Banachek

The best way to get into suggestions is to
use them with fail proof effects.

For instance, use equivoque for a routine.
However try to get them to choose the items you want by using
your voice. If you hit it right of the bat, perfect, if not
you still have an out.

As stated in psychological subtleties, usually
one wants to use such techniques to make a fail proof effect
stronger but not as just an effect in itself unless one is
harvesting, something I will cover in the sequel to PS1.

mcdotty

Welcome sir, to Magic Bunny, the best!

I was lucky to have Peter Warlock as a mentor
years ago, who in turn put me onto Theo. What, if any, is
your opinion of these two purveyors of the mental art?

Banachek

I have the utmost respect for both their
thinking and creativity styles. As we know, Anneman is required
reading, so should Warlock be. Having not seen either perform
I can't comment on performing styles. I am sure both were
excellent in their chosen environments.

DarkRaven

Hi Banachek. Warm welcome to Magic Bunny. Thanks
for taking time off!

I am a magician myself, but I do not do so
much of mentalism. As a magician, we're supposed to believe
in what we do as magic, like we have to believe in magic
ourselves before we can convince the audience that it is
magic. And I've seen your interview on Unscrewed, and you
kinda said one effect that you did is due to some sort of
trickery. How come? Aren't mentalists very sensitive to the
word tricks?

Hope you understood my question, and once again,
thanks for your time!

Banachek

Most mentalists are sensitive to the word "tricks".
I rarely use that word myself unless in the context of adding "tricks
like a tightrope worker uses to stay on the rope or a trick
like piano player might use to remember notes."

I think most mentalists do not like the work
trick or magic because they fell it takes away the mystery.
However, I tell my audiences that I use my five senses to
create the illusion of sixth (Ned Rutledge credit), that
I use psychology, verbal and non-verbal communication, MAGIC,
and perceptual manipulation. That nothing I do is psychic!
I will not tell them what I am using for any particular effect,
it might be a combination or it might be just one of those
five things and the reason being is because I do not want
to ruin the mystery.

Too many mentalists (in my opinion) want to
run away from their magical past. I think Derren Brown has
recently done a wonderful job of merging the two and respecting
his magical past.

As for the direction mentalism is going. I
suspect more to the non-claiming of psychic abilities. In
this day and age of instance news it is easy to find out
if someone is B'Sing you when they claim to be psychic.

daleshrimpton

I was watching a fascinating programme last
night on the CIA, and Psychic spies. It was all covert, cloak
and dagger conspiracy stuff, as per usual. I was wondering,
have you ever had to stand in front of anyone and say, " well,
look guys, I don't really do this, it's just a trick"?

Banachek

I don't like the word "trick" but
I think I get what you mean.

Yes I have. Especially when I have given lectures
to high schools. In fact, in high schools I used to give
a lecture starting out with a small performance. I would
then ask how many thought it was real, 98 percent or so would
raise their hands. I would then turn to the other 3 or 4
people and ask them each why they did not. Their statements
where such like: "My dad told me it was not real." Or "I
read somewhere that psychic stuff is not real." I would
then tell them they were right, it was not real. They would
smile, but then I would hit them with: "You are right
but for the wrong reasons." I would then steer the talk
into a direction that at least the other people saw something
they could not explain and I had given them a plausible explanation,
however they were taking someone else's word as fact. I would
then go into an area of "It is sometimes the smartest
tactic to say 'I DON'T KNOW" that it was okay to say
you did not know something, It does not mean you are stupid,
if fact quite the opposite. To say "I don't know" means
you are smart enough not to fall into traps of coming to
a conclusion just to look smart. There is a big difference
between looking smart and being smart. And we would go on
to some interesting discussions of peer pressure and so on
from there.

I always state in my stage show that I am not
a psychic. I have at times gone as far as to state that it
is MY BELIEF that if anyone gets up on stage and does what
I do and claim they are psychic, they are either lying to
you or lying to themselves.

I believe that some mentalist rely upon people
believing in what they do as real in order to be able to
get away with the trickery. Kind of like when someone comes
to see a hypnotist they are often pretty much pre-hypnotized
and ready to go.

Once I worked on stage with Geller, his apparent
trickery looked obvious to me, yet all those in attendance
were pretty much the converted and no matter what he did,
they did not see what I did because they did not want to.
This was amazing to me. Geller could have stood on stage,
taken a spoon between his hands and bent it out in the open
(it appeared pretty much that way to me anyway) and they
would have ate it up.

This is what many mentalists rely upon. I think
a good mentalist who knows his craft does not have to rely
upon this. So I have no problem telling someone presenting
it that way. It not quite how I do it but it can be done.
For fun I have told people that I will be using a trick to
bend a fork, which it will look real and they will try to
convince me it is. I then have gone on to do just that and
yes they did and have tried to convince me it has to be real.
Of course after I told them that, I went into the presentational
mode as I performed that it was real. They forgot the trickery
statement or just did not want to believe that they could
be fooled so badly. I am not exactly sure which but I have
my suspicions.

Sorry for rambling.

Gary Scott

Hi Banachek,

Mentalism seems to be all the rage at the minute,
especially with the likes of Derren Brown catching the public's
eye.

What do you think about this ' impact' of TV
mentalism and what direction do you see mentalism going in
the future?

Banachek

I think I have answered this question elsewhere
so will not cover it again other than saying that Mentalism
has had a continued roller coaster ride as with any of our
related arts. Copperfield goes on TV and everyone is doing
and illusion. Doug Henning did a dancing cane as well as
Donny Osmond and next thing you knew everyone was doing it.

Blaine did a levitation, next thing everyone
is doing it however you already see a decline in the levitation
and the biting coin.

Geller did metal bending, next thing you know
everyone was.

Derren is the big thing in the UK right now,
this will change over time.

It might take about 20 years or so, but I suspect
that this trend will slow down with the next big phenomenon.

Huw Collingbourne

First, a very warm welcome to Magic Bunny.
I hope you enjoy your time here!

Many mentalists insist on a distinction between
'mentalism' and 'mental magic'. Do you think this distinction
is clear-cut and, if so, how important do you feel it to
be?

Banachek

I have given the idea much thought lately and
have come to the simple conclusion that the difference is
the performer and his presentation. Two performers can perform
the same effect and for one it will look like magic and for
the other it will look "psychic."

David Blaine is a perfect example of someone
who can take something magical and make it look real. He
does so with lack of magical presentation. He just does it
and let's it speak for itself. No long stories or patter,
it is just: "look at this impossible thing, I can't
explain it, I just do it!"

Having stated this there are obviously some
effects that will look magical no matter how you dress it
up, but there are few that can can't be made to look "real" and
that is the key. How do I make it look "real?" Blaine
made it look "real." Maric made it look "Real."

If you look at many of the Indian Fakirs they
performed standard magic but they were looked at as "real" not
so much because of the ignorance in their respected countries
but more due to how they presented themselves. Many fake
evangelists took and take standard magic tricks, adapt them
and make them look "real." Jim Jones was a perfect
example of this.

Sinogeek

Hi there Banachek and welcome!

A slightly off the wall question, apart from
the 'normal gigs', you might have had the opportunity to
perform in some unlikely places. If so, in your career to
date, what's the weirdest/strangest venue you have performed
in and how did it feel?

Banachek

I used to perform in many makeshift comedy
clubs. These consisted of hotel, nightclubs, basements and
so on. The worse was a country Western Club across the street
from an oil refinery. The stage was the dance floor with
a huge support beam in the center around the corner from
the main area of the bar, and no seats.

I have performed outside in raging winds. Not
good for a mentalist who uses book, papers and envelops.
I have performed outside in 110-degree heat (not good for
a mentalist who wears a jacket to hold props.)

Probably the worse has been walk around. Once
I performed at an outdoor party doing walk around. I was
done with one table and turned around to go to another. I
stepped into open airspace and promptly into the pool (full
suit); I walked straight out the other side of the pool and
up the steps like nothing happened. Felt like an idiot till
the host told me, "We really need to light that pool
you are the 6th person to have done that since we moved here.
They gave me some swim trunks, a dry deck of cards, I had
some extra index cards and was ready to go. At least I fit
in now for the theme of the Hawaiian Luau.

I once performed upon a train from Houston
to Galveston. I missed the train as it left the station but
the stationmaster took me to an area further down the track
where the train slowed almost to a crawl. I jumped on board.
Much to the surprise of the hosts who could not understand
how I could just appear on the train. They knew beyond any
doubt I had not boarded with everyone else. I never told
them.

I once performed at the Disney Swann Hotel
in Florida. Five minutes into y act I realized that 95 percent
of my audience did not speak English. I quickly brought up
someone who could translate and made it through the show
with some slight changes.

I once showed up for a gig and found out the
audience unknown to me in advance (agent did not inform me)
was at a nudist colony. Very, very distracting. Especially
when you point out body language. You can imagine the things
that were going through my mind.

Another time an agent booked me at a gay biker
bar and did not tell me in advance.

The only show I refused to perform at was when
I showed up and it was a kid's party (all three and four
year olds) my stuff would not work for them. Luckily my price
keeps me well out of these areas now.

Probably the most disturbing moment (not place)
was the time I was doing a Bar Mitzvah. I was asked to involve
the kid that was being celebrated. I decided to use him for
a map routine. As I tore up the map I had him select a piece.
I turned to the audience to discuss what had happened so
far and they started to laugh, (at least some of them) I
turned back to the kid to get the piece and he had the entire
thing in his mouth chewing and swallowing it. That was the
last time I ever performed at such an event other than the
pre-dinner.

Huw Collingbourne

Many people who earn all or part of their living
as 'psychics' are, in fact, well known (and often well liked
and respected) in the mentalist community. How do you feel
about the very close ties between many mentalists and avowedly
fraudulent psychics? Can we, and should we, all be happy
to work and socialise together in harmony or do associations
between the mentalist and psychic fraternities compromise
our honesty and integrity?

Banachek

Wow, a loaded question if ever there was one.

I think there is enough room in the world for
us to try to get along on some level however I do not think
we should compromise our own beliefs and integrity as a result.

I am a friend with many I disagree with and
do so quite openly. If they can see that I have the right
to do so without getting personal, we can get along.

We all have someone in our family or a friend
whose ethics we despise yet we don't hate the person. We
don't accept what they do but we accept the person. Now there
are extremes of this. Especially when it gets personal.

I never have a problem stating what I see as
the truth and pointing out a lie as I see it and believe
it to be. If someone is blatantly lying then by all means
call him or her out on it. Just make sure it is not in the
context of entertainment. Be careful in this area and make
sure you understand fully the context. Of course this context
can mean different things for different people but there
are some very bold lines with this as well for example, if
someone crosses over and starts to give personal advice or
if someone starts to blur the edges of science and entertainment
by going into a laboratory, these are definitive hard lines
they have crossed over.

Having said that, I can only speak for me and
what I should or should not do in any particular situation.
What you do would be based upon your own standards for ethical
behaviour.

For me a perfect example is my wife is devout
catholic, I am not. I support her fully so long as she does
not force her beliefs upon me. She has so many other incredible
qualities that one area of her life does not make her whole.
There is much more there to look at. Her intent with her
belief is also taken into consideration by me.

Intent is often the gauge I use to decide if
I will have respect for someone or not in this area we are
discussing. I can respect someone but not agree with him
or her or even like what they do when it comes to this area
we are talking about.

I think part of the getting along comes from
picking our fights. I am not so sure that there is as close
relationship suggested by your post when it comes to outright
intended fraud. I think almost any psychic entertainer I
know would expose someone taking advantage of another human
being by using such ruses as the Devil Egg or Pigeon drop
type scenarios or the "your money is the root of all your
evil, bring it to me so I can burn it all" and so on.

Banachek

Here is the story I alluded to earlier and
said I would post for those who are interested, it is copied
from an old web site of mine that is now defunct, hence the
third person description:

Buried Alive. October 31st 1998,
The United States and Europe tuned in to watch a young man
perform the impossible. A feat that almost killed the great
Harry Houdini. Banachek was to be chained, shackled and locked
in a Plexiglas coffin, lowered into a 9-foot hole and buried.
Banachek would have two hours to extricate himself from the
restraints and physically dig his way to the surface to safety.
The weather this Halloween night was cold and rainy. IN fact
it had rained for thirty-two hours straight. After a frightening
one hour and forty-Seven minutes, Banachek emerged; he had
succeeded where his predecessors had failed.

Since the special hosted by William Shatner,
two people have died trying to repeat Banachek's incredible
stunt, and Banachek vowed never to perform this difficult
feat again unless the money was right. Well folks, the money
was right and Banachek performed the stunt again on August
4th 1992 on Japanese soil. Once again it rained, only this
time a small typhoon hit the Island of Tokyo. The hole was
full of mud and had to be pumped clean before Banachek could
perform the stunt, only thing was, the storm had left a small
stream flowing in the bottom of the burial pit. But the show
must go on and Banachek performed the stunt despite his new
nickname, Rainman.

UPDATE:

Since that time, I sent my tape to a well-known
producer (this was shortly after Penn & Teller performed
the bullet catch on World's Greatest Magic.)

This producer told me he loved the look of
it but did not know how to bring it to TV in a short period
of time. I told him I had some thoughts on that and if he
was serious we should talk. I did not hear back, but less
than a month I saw mention that a well know and liked (I
like him too) was going to perform a buried alive. At the
time I was suspicious as this producer was also the same
one I had spoke to. But waited just to see. Yup, the way
the fellow was handcuffed, was exactly like mine, the Plexiglas
case, the bulldozers and everything on the tape was mine.

Well, I called the performer and he was truly
sorry, in fact he called me back a few times. It was not
his fault, seems the producer approached him with the idea.
At first this performer was to appear driving one of the
bulldozers. But that type of effect had been performed ad
nausea and hence it reverted into my buried alive.

As a result, the performer and I became well
acquainted. I never sent anything to that producer again
(especially since a few things from my pal Dean Gunnerson
had been pilfered as well.)

So all well that ends well, and that is the
basic history of my buried alive. I would like to perform
it one more time before I am too old on my own TV special.

The producer who is mentioned above has since
passed away.

Banachek

This my version of an old Eddie Joseph effect.
I love his thinking.

I once posted it elsewhere, and sent a copy
on to Teller, he liked it enough to put his own presentation
together for his book, How To Play In Traffic, also available
at my site. I gave them a few other things for the book too
but that is another story.

I thought you would enjoy it so reposting it
here in the spirit of the season! Have fun.

Okay, I want you to get a deck of cards. It
must be a full deck. Remove the jokers, in fact, throw them
away.

Now remove all the odd cards this includes
the Kings and Jacks.

Set the even cards off to the side in a pile
for now.

Pick up the odd cards and shuffle them, now
look at the top card and the bottom card and add the values
together, Aces would be one, Jacks eleven and Kings thirteen.

Now set the odd cards face down to the side
and pick up the even pile. Note the card at that position
from the top in the deck down while keeping the cards in
the same order.

In other words, if the total number of the
two odd cards were 18, you would remember the 18th card down
in the even pile keeping the cards in the same random order.

Now let us review the situation up to this
point. The odd packet is on the table. And the even pack
is in your hands face down. You have two things in mind.
One; a certain number and two; a playing card.

If I was in hearing distance I could tell you
what that card is. On the other hand, I could wait until
I hear from you then disclose the identity of the card. But
this might take too long as it is Christmas and I have relatives
to visit and I do not have time to answer all of you. I could,
of course tell you right here what that card is, but then
you would lose interest and not care to try this little experiment
out.

Therefore I propose to do better... I shall
try to find that card even though several miles separate
us. I know you don't believe such a thing is possible but
I shall prove it to you in the next few minutes.

Oh, I forgot one instruction; you will need
a full deck to continue so please place the ODD packet of
cards on top of the even cards in your hand.

Have you placed the ODD cards on top of the
EVEN pile?? Good!

Now deal out in a row a number of cards face
up corresponding with the total number you have in mind (the
total of the two odd cards you added earlier). I am asking
you to do this because I wish to impress that number deeper
in your mind this number is your mystic number.

Have you got the row of cards in front of you??
As I wish you to identify your personality with mine and
the cards lying in that row, please spell out my name

S T E V E N B A N A C H E K

Lay out one card from the top of the deck on
the face up cards for each letter of my name. If by chance
you do not complete the spelling by the time you cover the
last face up card in the row, do continue again with the
first card and carry through until finished.

Done spelling my name? Good. Now look at the
top card of the deck. Bet you thought that was going to be
your card. No, Sir! Put it back on top it's not that simple.
I have a wish for you this holiday season and for it to come
true you need to spell out the wish, deal one card as before
for each letter of my wish below.

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S

Right, now cross your fingers and think of
your card. Now turn over the top card of the deck. What do
you see? Don't bother calling to tell me, I know.

It is my wish for you.

As we get closer to the New Year you can change
Happy Holidays to "A happy new Year" or any sentence
that has 13 letters.

Enjoy.

Oh, one more thing. For this effect I used
Steven Banachek however in the real world my name is Steven
Shaw, my stage name is not Steven Banachek, it is just Banachek.
In other words my stage name is Banachek and my real name
includes the Steven.

Scott Drebus

In another topic, you stated:

"I personally do not like long routines ...
However, I think the strongest pieces of mentalism one can
see performed are the simple direct examples ... It is the
simple direct items that people remember.

I like to think when people go home after seeing
my show they can describe each element of my show. "He
had three people stand, think of cards and told them via
their body language exactly what cards they were thinking
of. He told a lady her social security number and another
her birth date."

In order to get this simplicity and directness
of effect, how much of your work is pre-show? What are your
thoughts on the pros and cons of doing pre-show word? Any
sources you would recommend on learning more about pre-show
work?

Banachek

I have one item that I use in my shows that
is pre-show. I used to perform my Q&A that way, non-clipped
but still pre-show. No longer. Only because it is a pain
in the butt to set things up ahead of time.

Those that saw me lecture in the U.K at the
Asylum and the Circle saw me talk briefly about how to present
pre-show. The Key is not to act like you are hiding anything
or changing anything to the person you are pre-showing when
it comes time for the reveal in the show. However, for me
to state "prior to the show I spoke to so and so" is
the kiss of death only because you are now asking the audience
to take your work no hanky panky was going on. It matters
not if you ask the other person to agree with your statements.

I go into depth on this in the new PS2 and
would love to discuss more here but this is a fairly open
board and feel a little uncomfortable doing so.

Hope you understand.

I think Mark Strivings has a book called "Before
the curtain rises" I think it is Mark. I have not read
the book so can't vouch for it but I am sure it has some
good pointers. Correct me if I am wrong on the author please
(anyone). It might be John Riggs. I do know the title is
right.

Huw Collingbourne

Not that I wish to pressurize you but I should,
of course, point out that you would be always very welcomed
to visit the Secret Area of Magic Bunny.

Daymo

Yup, it is indeed by Mark Strivings.

Banachek

Thanks I thought it belonged to my Pal Strivings.
I do know Riggs has some writings on it as well, hence the
slight confusion.

Happy Toad

Firstly may I say it's a great privilege to
have you on the board.

Now a question that has caused a few heated
debates on this board has concerned exposure of mentalism.
However just recently this has been debated not reference
the more normal TV or Internet type exposure, but some have
complained at the likes of the Osterlind DVD set.

The argument summed up appears to be that DVDs
like these make the secrets of mentalism too easily accessible.
Do you have any firm views on the subject?

For the record I personally don't agree and
love the opportunity to learn from this type of format and
with such quality teachers.

Huw Collingbourne

For easy reference, that discussion can be
found using the search function on these forums.

Banachek

I am well aware of the argument, Richard is
a good friend, I have others on the other side of the argument
as well. I fully understand the feelings of those who feel
it is a bad thing. I am not sure what the answer is.

I think what he has on the DVD's is already
readily available. He just shows how to perform it, or more
that it can be performed.

Our business is a roller coaster ride. In a
few years Illusions or close up or maybe even mime (just
kidding) will be the new fad.

I don't think people should be pointing their
finger at Osterlind (just my opinion) but they should be
pointing at those who just can't get enough tricks. Knowledge
just for the sake of knowing how it is done is not the way
to support mentalism. A teaching tool (to me) is not a bad
thing, but needs to be used wisely.

The other thing that people seem to be upset
about with this series is the fact that a lot of the material
belongs to others like Anneman, his contributors and Corinda
and his. This is true but most of this stuff is in the public
magic domain, just like so much is derivative of Tarbel (you
might be amazed at how much). I am sure people had the same
problem with Tarbel, Corinda and Anneman when they came out
for much the same reasons as Richard. People had a problem
with the Ammar tapes and other teaching tapes for the amount
of easy access information. I suspect most who get these
will forget them much like the exposures of the magic on
the Masked Magician shows or the Becker shows. The knowledge
will sift through their minds. Those who get something from
them will probably be those who entertain and make money.

Too many mentalists forget and want to hide
their magic backgrounds. I understand why, but don't think
it right (again, just my opinion and maybe I have said too
much.)

I hope I have not insulted anyone with my answers
but I was asked the question and have been as frank as I
can be here. I have much more to say on this but this is
good for now as I just arrived home 2 minutes ago.

Gary Scott

It's just a personal belief of mine that mentalism
can be classed as the last 'true' magic. All because of one
thing. The enormous ' emotional' impact it has on the spectators.

The new ' Osterlind' series is not about Osterlind.
The whole project could have been taken upon by another performer.

It's just seems to be a bit unfair to mentalism
that everything has suddenly become available on a little
round disc.

I can see people treating the whole DVD scene
of mentalism with the same attitude towards magic.

" Right... I am learning tricks instead
of the art!"

The difference is that mentalism should not
be treated as such, as in tricks. It is so much more than
that and I feel the producers of the latest Osterlind DVD
series are just exploiting the current phase of in vogue
mentalism. Maybe it's just me, but in mentalism...there is
nothing EASY TO MASTER.

Ty Dailey

It's not just you, Gary.

mcdotty

I have read most of the Osterlind effects years
ago but never got round to doing much mentalism...Having
watched his DVD's along with Banachek's has given me a new
lease of life. I don't think this is a bad thing. My grandkids
love the new Magic granddad, who can now find out things
in an interesting and exciting way. To me it makes for better
entertainment, and let's face it, that's what it's all about

Happy Toad

Thanks for your considered opinion.

I think it's a shame that such useful teaching
tools are considered exposure by some. I suppose it's always
going to be a thorny issue to decide exactly where the line
is drawn.

It's interesting that the people that complain
about these DVDs don't seem so concerned about the regular
magic DVDs.

Huw Collingbourne

I don't want to stifle debate, folks, but remember
that we already have a discussion on this topic on these
boards It would probably be better to carry on the debate
in that thread, leaving this thread for Banachek's comments.

Banachek

I agree, it does in some way appear to cheapen
our art, however I am not sure it will hurt our art in the
long run. I suspect as a result of this work we will see
a few incredible performers get their start that we will
all look up to. If Richard was to put these out one at t
a time (each effect on the DVD) I suspect that man would
not be as upset yet it would be the same thing.

It is the performer who will make it look like
a bag of tricks or take it to the next level and present
the effect in such a way as to make it look real.

How often have you seen a non-magician perform
an effect, a simple effect, but in such a way as to blow
you away. An effect you know the method of, yet he does it
in such a way as to really blow all there who see it away.
I have seen this. Usually it is the only trick the person
knows and hence he puts all his heart and soul into it. This
is what I mean by the performer either devaluing it to a
trick or a miracle.

I am not sure what the answer is. I do think
there is more fuss about this than meets the eye. Just like
the exposure shows. I hated them but kept my mouth shut,
I knew that more exposure and talk about them would promote
them and it did.

Not comparing Richards's recent work in any
way with this. These are two different birds. One is teaching
the other is exposure to the masses.

I also suspect that many of those who complain
about these DVD's will be performing some of these effects
as a result of seeing Richard performing them. This is a
little hypocritical if you ask me. And if one does this then
they need to rethink the value of the DVD's.

I have a feeling that there are some very strong
personal reactions to these DVD's and as a result I suspect
this will be my last post on this, simply because I don't
know what the real answer is, time will tell and I fully
understand both sides of the issue. It truly is a catch-22.

Gary Scott

This is my farewell question and it may be
difficult to answer!

It is also difficult to put into words, so
I hope I convey this properly!

How would you, personally, define the difference
between a mentalism effect and a magic effect on how they
affect an audience?

Banachek

Hmm, a very hard question to ponder. I have
been amazed at the quality of thought provoking questions
we have had here compared to other boards I have been on.

I would suspect a really good magic effect;
trick or what have you is perceived as the same as a good
mentalism effect and just as mind numbing. It is amazing
how many people asked over the years, how did Copperfield
predict peoples thoughts (graffiti wall) or even the more
ludicrous appearing question of "Did he really make
the statue of liberty disappear?" Look at David Blaine,
he performs magic tricks yet many think or thought he was
the real genuine thing, that he did real magic. And that
is the key I think, real magic vs. a magic trick. This again
all goes back to presentation or lack of it in many instances.
It goes back to K I S S A T I T . Meaning, Keep It Simple,
Stupid And Think It Through.

I think "Real Magic" Affects the
audience the same as a mentalism effect. It is why we have
the term, mental magic, to cover those effects that just
don't look quite real.

It is another reason why I don't think mentalists
should shun or hide their magic background. If it was good
magic and looked like "Real Magic" they should
be proud of it. Magic has many different meanings to many
different people. To some religious it means evil. However
really magic did not take the name "magic" (trick
magic that is as we do it) till not so long ago in the terms
of history of what we do. Prior we were known as Jugglers.

Not sure I really answered this question, as
it is a very slippery one and personal. My problem with personal
answers is I try to see things from many different sides.
Doing that enables me to make personal decisions about where
I stand from my own ethical standpoint. It also enables me
to open many other ideas that would not be available if I
was just to shut a door and not look at something from another
point of view once in a while. For instance, I have come
up with many things that would benefit readers although I
would never do a reading per say. Yet the exercise has always
been enlightening.

MagicEd

Hello again Banachek!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Mentalism seems to be the "New Black" and
I for one (with my chequebook!) have done my bit to help
this along. It has become my area of preferred focus.

Many magicians perform "dangerous" magic
as you have. Maybe not everyone is willing to be buried alive,
but there are a plethora of "Russian Roulette" type
effects out there as well as "Bullet Catch" variations
(from comic to full-on). There has always been real appeal
in the challenge effect where peril is but a hairs breadth
away.

Are there any effects in terms of mentalism
that you feel mirror this dramatic vehicle? Is there peril
in mind magic?

Banachek

Actually Russian Roulette started in the mentalism
arena. Fogel had his Russian Roulette, there were a plethora
of acid monties (Kayes handbook of mental magic had a version),
I was the first to perform a Russian roulette with knives
(also did a gun version and an acid version in the same show
by the way). Fogel also had the Cheating the Gallows done
in a mental show context. So really, as I see it, the Russian
Roulette them was a mental effect prior to the magic world
adopting it.

This takes us back to some of the other questions
about the ease and availability of magicians to access mental
effects now and the diluting of mental effects in the magic
market place. This is the fear that some mentalists have,
that mental effects will now become known and associated
with straight magic. Say "magician" and sadly people
think immediately 'kid show magician with a rabbit, hat and
tails', (not that there is not a place for this and not to
belittle those who do kid shows for a living. There is nothing
wrong with this but magic can be so much more as well.)

Anyway, prior to my usual tangent, to answer
your question above and below, yes, it started in my mind
with mentalism.

You asked; "Are there any effects in terms
of mentalism that you feel mirror this dramatic vehicle?
Is there peril in mind magic?"

Sinogeek

Hi again Banachek,

When I was in High School I was one of Dr.
Sean O' Donnell's subjects for his research and experimentation
in what he refers to as 'Future Memory', or quite literally
the ability to 'remember' the future.

He would have me sit isolated in a room and
try to predict the outcome of a Red or Black possibility
time and time again. He believed that it is a skill which
can be 'trained' and something that we humans are losing
as we live in a desensitised world where we have to rely
less and less on our intuitive skills.

Amazingly, at the beginning, the results averaged
only 44% correct as opposed to the expected around 50%, yet
after 'practice' myself and another subject were regularly
recording successes of 75% and over!

Kind Regards, and thanks for a very entertaining
and informative visit.

Banachek

It definitely intrigues me.

Years ago, some parapsychologists used to state
that the reason that there is no documented evidence of ESP
under control conditions was because of the psychic abilities
of sceptics. In other words the fact that they did not believe
caused their "powers" to go back in time and negate
the results. "Their scepticism was just so strong."

There was even a name for the supposed phenomenon
but I can't recall it at the moment. It probably in one of
the parapsychology dictionaries.

But back to the documentation that does exist,
I would love to hear more about it. How many rounds did they
perform? Odds dictate there will be some abnormalities as
a result when one finds something positive, heavy future
experimentation should definitely be performed to make sure
it was or is not just the odds working in the favor of PSI
and that it is indeed the genuine thing. Did they do further
testing? If so, I would love to hear about it. I am also
intrigued by the fact the hypothesis was it would get better
with training and it appeared to do just that.

Sinogeek

If you scroll to the bottom of this page, there
is a little more info on Dr. O' Donnell's work.

I am no cynic when it comes to this ability.
I've seen and experienced it at first hand.

The most difficult aspect however is that the
parameters and conditions for successful results are so tight.

Predicting with nothing at stake (I.e. NOT
in a casino) can be learned (relearned) reasonably quickly,
but when you have 'something to lose', e.g. Money, then the
psychological pressure of that fudges up the results easily.

Once again, thanks for a great visit. I hope
you can come back and do it all again sometime.

Good luck with all of your future ventures
and endeavours.

aommaster

Hi Banachek!

Do you think that PK silverware has achieved
its objectives in making people believe that fact that people
can bend metal with their mind? If it were possible, what
would you change about it to make it, in your opinion, better?

Banachek

My purpose in PK silverware was not to convince
more people; maybe I misunderstood your question.

My purpose on the tape was as a teaching tool
and to get credit for some of my ideas that others where
incorporating in their tapes and DVD's

On the tape, the emphasis was more on the teaching
and less on the being real. When I perform the effects myself,
I have a lot more drama and emphasize on making it look real.
Eliciting feelings from the person or persons on stage with
me and creating a feeling or emotion if you will of it being
real (all in context of the stage show or close up I am working
of course).

As a result it sometimes amuses me when people
state that on the DVD's I did not act like it was real. That
was not the purpose of the DVD's, it was to impart information
on how to get away with the bends and make the bends themselves
look real, not how to make yourself look real, these are
two distinct different aims.

Hope that makes sense. Maybe someday on a DVD
I will show the difference and teach how to make you look
genuine versus making it look like a trick. Such a section
could be beneficial to anyone performing mentalism.

aommaster

Thanks a lot for that reply Banachek! You understood
my question correctly!

PS Sorry I couldn't reply you earlier, I had
a camp with my school!

Banachek

Thank you, I will be out most of today, in
the U.S. today is thanksgiving and I have to go to my daughters.

But thanks so much for your insightful questions.

Shaun Robinson

As I have stated before, I really enjoyed this
DVD and use some of the techniques. I found Gerry inherently
annoying on this and it almost ruined the DVD for me. Was
his part to play to "dumb" magician so all questions
could be answered?

(Side note: I'm doing a ten-minute oral presentation
on the Alpha Project at University on Monday.)

Banachek

This was his intent, I was not aware of this
intent up front as he decided to do that as we started. As
we continued through the project I was aware of it. Gerry
has a great ability to improve. Sometimes it is brilliant
other times annoying. My only problem on this was it sometimes
through my timing off, however he did bring up some good
points with being simple minded so to speak. Some people
loved it, some hated it. I guess it was just one of those
things.

aommaster

As Shaun stated, some people (on other forums)
really hated the fact that he made comments so they reduced
their overall rating down. They said, however, that it was
a pity because the moves shown in the DVD were good.

Banachek

The thing I look about in DVD's or videos is
if I learnt anything. I don't really care about the quality
or the nuances they try on each DVD or even the layout. Although
all those things can enhance the experience I realize I am
not watching a movie or a TV show, it is a learning experience
and do the learning contents leave me enhanced.

HD, layout, editing and such are all secondary
benefits to me.

aommaster

That's a great way for what to look for when
picking out magic DVDs! Great idea!

Felix

Hello Banachek.

Thank you so much for taking the time to be
here and answering the questions so thoroughly. I have been
out of town for a bit and before leaving I stopped at my
favourite magic shop to see what book I might pick up to
take with me on the trip. When mentioning that I was leaning
towards something in mentalism two others in the shop said
something to the effect of...."Banachek......or Annemann?
Both are great reading"

I suppose with your name coming up so much
currently in my pursuit of knowledge of mental effects, I
have to wonder how far back this interest went for you and
when it began. In looking through your web site I noted your
participation in the McDonnell lab experiments in 1979 and
the reference to you as a "part time mentalist" at
18.

My question to you is can you describe your
beginnings that ultimately led you to pursue mentalism, was
there an event or a moment of realisation or that moment
of "ah ha?" Who or what inspired you and when?

I hope this is not a redundant question, as
I believe I have read all of the questions so far and did
not see a biography on your web site. If so, please feel
free to move on to others, as I know the time is running
short.

One more question. Your site only lists the
2004 tour schedule. Will it be updated soon?

Thanks once more.

Banachek

My interest was started really back in 1976
when I read Randi's book "the truth about Uri Geller"

By 1979 I was pretty much a full time mentalist
despite the fact I still had a couple of other jobs, by 1981
I had no side jobs and just started performing.

I was always interested in new ideas even when
very young. I invented a move to fool people when I played
football. I quickly learned that if I stepped to the right,
people would spread their legs and I could pass the ball
through their legs and run around them. (Same for stepping
to the left), I once was fascinated by a magician I saw at
a school function and do remember going home and constructing
a way to make a silk disappear into an egg. I was always
fascinated by ways to fool people with unique ideas for some
reason but the real passion started late (compared to most)
at the age of almost 16.

artemisdarcmagick

Hi Again,

I have just been asked to 'MC' at a charity
Function (for disabled kids) and the host has asked that
I perform some 'Psychological Entertainment' for the adults
just before I introduce the next guest. Now I have a few
ideas including the Chair selection from Pre Thoughts and
a drawing dupe using the Symbology Pack(possibly), but is
there any type effects that I should steer clear of and do
you have any advice or experience doing this kind of thing.

By the way the Children will be entertained
by a kids' entertainer.

Thanks in advance.

Also I found Gerry quite annoying on PK Silverware
but looked beyond that and I still rate as the best Metal
Bending stuff out there!

Banachek

When they state "psychological Entertainment" I
suspect they are talking about Derren Brown like. In other
words so long as you give a psychological feel to it you
will be fine.

As an MC you can usually get away with short
bits. For instance you could use Gauci's Eye to eye to good
laughter. I would suggest two bits in the beginning one quick
and to the point to let them know who you are, and one longer
item. You could also close with a longer item as well at
the end. Keep the other bits short in between the other items
you are introducing. If you can somehow tie them in with
what is coming up, the entire better. For instance, Bruce
Bernstein has an effect using the Paul Curry switch that
is called Eat At Joes. In other words the letters spell this
out at the end. Look it up.

There is no reason not to use Pre-show in this
environment. Like if you were going to do the Picture dupe
you talked about. MC'ing leads itself nicely to this. Depending
upon if you are introducing acts like bands or not, Q&A
gives you nice fill time and flexibility if you need it.
Let's say you a quick effect, and they need more time to
set up, you can do another one of your Q&A bits.

MC'ing is very different than a regular show,
as you do not have to have a build to your performance; each
bit is singular since you have others coming up in between
you. I would suggest keeping most of your bits short and
to the point. Your job is to keep the show moving, not slow
it down. A quick tossed out deck, a pic dupe, eye-to-eye
three or four times for money. Basically lots of standard
stuff but add plenty of humor. The main reason for this is
if you are introducing boring speakers, you will be the breath
of fresh air. Tell a joke or two instead of doing a trick
a couple of times. MC'ing is fun, keep it so.

As for staying away from anything, yes, in
this context stay away from long routines. You do not have
the time for it. As said, your job is to keep things moving.
Have a few lines ready for when things go wrong, like mic
problems, a speaker dropping something. Make sure you ask
each speaker in advance if there is anything you need to
stay away from. Nothing could be worse than telling a joke
and finding out later that the next guest was controversial
in that area, like a joke about a mistress and the big scandal
in the company was the fact the guy was and is seeing his
secretary. As a result it is often good to ask your hostess
as well if there are any areas you need to stay away from
with the speakers that you will introduce. You don't want
to be doing an effect with coke if the next speaker represents
Pepsi so go over you list way in advance, get a copy of the
list. Learn a few things about each person so you will feel
very relaxed when it comes time to introduce them. Even if
you use none of the information. Treat MC'ng like the folks
are in your living room and you are the host of the party.
Keep in mind people are sitting for hours (if this is the
an all-day event) do things where they can all stand up or
all interact with each other.

As I said, your job is to keep the event light
and moving along. You do this and you will be the star of
the show. You slow it down and you will be the reason the
event failed. MC'ing is a lot of responsibility, but a lot
of fun.

Thanks again for the great questions. Not sure
I answered exactly what you were asking but hope some of
this helps.

Nigel Shelton

This is just to remind you that Banachek's
time will be coming to an end very soon. If you have any
burning questions, please get them posted by tonight so that
he may have an opportunity to respond before the end of the
weekend.

This has been a thoroughly amazing week and
I have certainly enjoyed reading the questions and replies
of all the posts in this forum - I hope that you have too.

A very warm thank you to Banachek for his input
so far, to what has been a remarkable week of thoroughly
enjoyable discussions.

Banachek

It has been fun, I appreciate everyone being
so polite, especially when it comes to the controversial
topics that sometimes lead to very heated discussions. You
guys were very, very cordial and I will not forget that.

Huw Collingbourne

I'd like to add my sincere thanks. Banachek
has been a wonderful and memorable guest. It has been fascinating
to read his detailed and insightful answers to a huge variety
of different questions.

It really has been a great pleasure and privilege
to have you visit us, sir.

Gary Scott

This has been one of the best guest speaker
spots in the history of Magic Bunny!

Thanks for being for being so open and forthright
with your replies.

It has made for a very impressive read.

I'm sure that every single one of us learnt
something from this.

Thank you for visiting Magic Bunny Banachek!

little1large1

All of the above.

Thank you very much Banachek.

Tubz

Perhaps you'd like to re-visit us in the future?

Thank you very much for taking time out for
your busy schedule.

Happy Toad

Just a quick post to add to the thanks.

First time I've ever actually posted a question
to one of our guests, inspired by the frank and open contribution
by you.

Many thanks

mcdotty

From an Old'un in the pack may I say what a
pleasure it was to have a gentleman on board to answer all
our questions. From my point of view, It has certainly enhanced
your already first class reputation. When you decide to do
a UK Visit, please let us know.

Michael Jay

The last week has been a massive spot for our
guest speaker, Banachek. The entire interview is HUGE! Thank
you Banachek for taking your time with us and giving the
frank and honest answers that you have...You are certainly
an amazing man and deserving of all the accolades that you
receive from our industry.

I am indebted.

M_B

This is possibly the Guest Speaker that his
forum received some many topic/posts! Amazing.

I would just like to add my thanks - particularly
for the depth of the replies and even replies-to-replies.

No doubt Mr Credit Card will be purchasing
the PSI DVD's very soon.

SteveKn

I just wanted to add my thanks as well. There
aren't many people that would take the time and consideration
that you did to answer our questions. It's been a fascinating
week.

Nigel Shelton

I would like to offer a very warm vote of thanks
to Banachek for being our "Special Guest" over the past few
days.

This has been the most incredible week. I cannot
recall any other of our previous quests creating such a stir
and generating such a wide range of threads and discussions.
We have been incredibly lucky throughout the past three years
on Magic Bunny to scoop some most amazing guests and I am
grateful for everything that they have all contributed but
you have set a new benchmark for future guests – it really
has been the most incredible appearance.

Thank you Banachek for spending the last week
on our boards in the role of a Special Guest. I have thoroughly
enjoyed reading your input and I know that many of our members
have learnt a great deal from your words. There has been
an incredible buzz on these boards over the past five days
and this forum has generated some of the most astounding
discussions.

My postbag has swelled over the past week or
so, initially with correspondence full of excitement about
your pending visit and then with further correspondence praising
the activity and standard of contributions in this forum.
I am so very thankful for all that you have done for these
boards in the past five days.

Thank you so very much.

Shaun Robinson

I would also like to thank Steve for his time
here. I haven't posted a lot because I thought that a lot of
the things he dealt with wouldn't apply to me. After reading
all of his posts and re-reading his website I have most definitely
changed my mind. Thanks for your time Banachek; you're a
true commodity.

Banachek

I just want to say that it has indeed been
my pleasure to spend the week here, it went by quite fast.
The questions were fascinating and as I said elsewhere, way
above the usual quality of other boards I have appeared on.

Thanks once again for making if fun and thanks
for making me think, it is always a good thing to do.

LeeAlex

Damn - Nigel beat me to it this time!

I have not been participating on the posting
- but rest assured this has all made fantastic reading.

A great big thank you for all you time - and
entertainment!

It has been out of this world!

Scott Drebus

I'm not famous yet, but I make it my point
to meet as many successful people as possible to both increase
my potential network, and to learn as much as I can from
my potential network, and to learn as much as I can from
them in my constant pursuit for success myself. Someone once
said, "Take a millionaire out to lunch." Well,
we were fortunate enough to have you for an entire week.
Of all the people I have ever met and out of all the people
I have ever learned from, you are definitely up there at
the top of my list. Thank you for taking some time off to
share your wisdom with us. Anyone who didn't read any of
your posts are fools; there is something there for everyone,
even if their only goal in life is to sell rail passes at
the station.

aommaster

On behalf of all the other members of Magic
bunny, thanks a lot Banachek! It has really been great to
have you here on these boards.

M_B

Many thanks from myself, also. You have truly
been a great guest speaker and even, though, I did not take
place in the discussions, I thoroughly enjoyed reading them.

That's all I can say, I don't have the talent
Nigel has by writing so strongly.

Thanks for the help.

Tobias

I wasn't around over the weekend, but I have
thoroughly enjoyed this last week and, though I've thanked
him a few times already, thanks again to Banachek for taking
the time to speak to us. It's been great hearing from such
an innovative performer.

Michael Jay

I have also thanked you for being with us over
the last week Banachek, but, again, thank you! It has been
a great privilege to read your in depth and well thought
answers, which are a mark of your professionalism. May life
give you everything you could ever want!

Huw Collingbourne

Once again, many, many thanks. Please feel
free to call by and see us in Bunny from time to time.